I was married off to a disabled hero in lieu of marriage; my in-laws doted on me and I aspired to gr

The Huailin City financial report was released, and Zhou Zhonghai, unable to attend the local finance meeting, waited in his office.

Fu Sanjun, carrying a briefcase, hunched over and took small, quick steps, a smile playing on his lips, as he entered Zhou Zhonghai's office.

"Governor Zhou, the financial report is out, please take a look..."

Fu Sanjun took out a document and handed it to Zhou Zhonghai.

"Just say it!"

"Seventy million, a year-on-year increase of 15%."

Fu Sanjun suppressed his joy and said humbly.

"A 15% year-on-year increase? That's almost ten million." Zhou Zhonghai was shocked.

"Yes, it is thanks to Governor Zhou's effective guidance that the contract system has been implemented, mainly in individual businesses and loss-making units. In addition, several large factories that were on the verge of losses have also turned a profit."

Fu Sanjun lowered his head and looked around like a secret agent.

"What do you mean by turning a profit? It's just making the books look better. Li Zhihao was executed, how could those people not be afraid? Of the seventy million, twenty-five million was handed over to the provincial treasury, and the remaining forty-five million went to Fu Sanjun. You can have a good New Year now."

"Yes, yes, it's all thanks to your excellent leadership. How could I, a mere county magistrate, possibly have such ability?" Fu Sanjun flattered.

"Well, what you said isn't entirely wrong. Given the current situation, next year's finances will look even better. However, I'm the provincial governor, and besides Huailin City, there are other cities too. Even the provincial agricultural department... sigh, they can't even pay the research institute salaries."

Fu Sanjun's eyes darted around: "We've handed over a lot of money to the provincial finance department."

"That's right. Don't be fooled by the large amount of money in the provincial treasury. It has to cover the salaries of government employees, road construction, subsidies for education and healthcare, and support for impoverished counties that are losing money. Do the math, how much money is left? When I was a junior minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, I couldn't even get 200,000 yuan. There are too many monks and not enough porridge. It's not easy for the three armies."

Zhou Zhonghai sighed deeply and fell into deep sorrow.

"How much does the provincial agricultural department want?"

"Two hundred thousand, so that those honest, hardworking kids in the research lab can have a good New Year."

"Fine, consider it our city's private funds supporting the Ministry of Agriculture," Fu Sanjun said through gritted teeth.

The province needs to pay salaries and subsidize education, healthcare, and road construction. Doesn't Huailin City need to pay salaries too?

All you've got to do is ask for money. Fine, I'll agree.

"Haha, Comrade Fu Sanjun, I knew you were generous. The funds have been transferred to the Provincial Finance Department today, and I'll have them allocate them to the Ministry of Agriculture immediately."

Zhou Zhonghai was overjoyed; he was an expert at swindling money.

"Governor Zhou, are you... are you no longer sad?"

Fu Sanjun was shocked by how quickly Zhou Zhonghai changed his attitude.

"Sadness? Why should I be sad? The land of China is thriving, what reason do I have to be sad?"

You, you...fox! With official business concluded, Zhou Zhonghai was pleased and personally brewed Fu Sanjun a cup of tea, using tea leaves from the municipal party committee.

"Sanjun, the reforms have achieved initial success, and we must continue our efforts next year. I can't stay in Huailin forever; there's a lot of work waiting for me in the province. Next year, we must intensify the reforms so that farmers' vegetables can enter the city, and the people's vegetable baskets can be more abundant."

"Yes, do I need to apply for individual business licenses to sell vegetables?"

"Of course we need to relax the policies. Previously, we only allowed unemployed youth to do business, but starting next year, anyone who wants to do business can do it, as long as they have a sole proprietorship license. In addition, we should try to implement a contracting system for the tertiary industry. Canteens, state-run restaurants, and bathhouses can all be contracted out. However, sole proprietorships cannot raise prices arbitrarily."

"Understood, Governor. Let some people get rich first."

"Whether it's a black dog or a white dog, a dog that can guard the house is a good dog."

"Boss, the central government's directive seems to say that it doesn't matter whether a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice, it's a good cat?"

"I don't have cats, only dogs. Fu Sanjun, my grandson gave me a dog, it's so cute! Every day when I come home, it jumps into my arms like a little kid. Hey, do you want to get one? When the big yellow dog has puppies, I want my grandson to give you one."

"I don't want to!"

Fu Sanjun said with a dark face, "I've been so busy with reform and opening up in Huailin City that I'm practically starving myself. Don't let your grandson's dog starve to death."

"You're so inflexible. Work is work, and life is life. Aren't you planning to bring your family to Huailin City? Your wife's job is easy to arrange; she works at the Housing Bureau in the county, so she can go to the Housing Bureau in the city too. What's your son doing?"

My son and daughter-in-law are quite something! Did you see the Huailin Daily? They published an article in the supplement, their review of the movie "Little Flower," and it was well-written. Wait, weren't we supposed to be a military family? When did we become a scholarly family? Being cultured is really good; it elevates our social standing considerably."

Zhou Zhonghai kept muttering to himself, constantly patting himself on the back, almost turning into a golden Buddha.

"Governor, you've raised your son so well, I still have a lot to learn. Please, have some tea first, I'll go tell the Ministry of Finance to transfer the money to the Ministry of Agriculture?" Fu Sanjun didn't have time to listen to his rambling.

"Yes, yes, business is important. Go on, go on. Fu Sanjun, I'm not coming to work tomorrow. I'm going to Dashui Village. My in-laws are slaughtering a pig. They have two big fat pigs, and they insist on giving me one. How can we possibly finish a whole pig? I'll just pick out some pork belly."

Are you going back to Dashui Village?

"Yeah, you want to go too? No, there's still plenty of work to do."

"I'm not going. Since your in-laws are slaughtering a pig, could you give me some pork belly?"

Fu Sanjun said with a shameless grin that he really wanted a bite of braised pork.

"Fu Sanjun, openly accepting bribes? Alright, here's a pound for you, get back to work."

One jin? You, Zhou Zhonghai, really have the nerve to say that? Two hundred thousand for one jin of pork belly?

Well, even a pound is good. Back when I went to Dashui Village, I couldn't even get a single bite of rice.

Fu Sanjun left, and Zhou Zhonghai walked to his desk and picked up the phone.

"Minister Xia, how have you been?"

Zhou Zhonghai laughed heartily, and Xia Lei felt reassured by his laughter.

"Vice Governor Zhou, have you settled down in Huailin City?"

"We need to personally oversee the pilot cities. Only after we achieve results will we have the face to see Governor Feng, hahaha..."

"It seems the pilot program is going well."

"Of course, we've worked hard for half a year, all for the sake of seeing results. By the way, Fu Sanjun has already transferred 200,000 yuan to the provincial finance department, specifically for your Ministry of Agriculture. Xia Lei, the comrades at the research institute have worked hard; their salaries and bonuses should all be distributed so they can have a good New Year."

Having money makes you generous; you even have to give out bonuses.

"Vice Governor Zhou, you are a bodhisattva! The snow this year is so thick, our house is like an icebox, and the comrades at the research institute don't even have the money to buy coal," Xia Lei said in a low but excited voice.

"Do you think I don't know your difficulties? Xia Lei, the harsh winter will be over soon. Next year, next year will be a time of sunshine and gentle breezes. Just hang in there a little longer."

"With your support, there is hope; I can persevere."

"By the way, Xia Lei, you need to relax after work. That movie, 'Little Flower,' is really good; you should check it out when you have time."

Little Flower? Is that something you can see whenever you have a spare moment? The province has shown it several times, but it's never been the Ministry of Agriculture's turn.

Zhou Zhonghai wanted to show off the review written by his son and daughter-in-law, but he held back and decided that one shouldn't be too high-profile.